				A superb Luan Secret Society Figure This very rare and very fine figure is from the Luan Secret Society in Ambrym, Vanuatu. The Luan Society is a rank system like many in the New Hebrides, but unlike others its severe laws have prevented that much information on it is available. It can be presumed that these figures (please see the other one on this page) were used in magic accompanying the accumulation of rank symbols and power within the society. The two heads might signify the double claim of one rank position. Apart from these speculations, the figure is simply excellent in expression with fine and expressive faces, a clear and modern posture and an excellent pigmentation. Early 20. Cent. Wood and vegetal material.120cm. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A superb Rambaramp Memorial Figure This highly rare and superb figure is a Rambaramp from Malekula, Vanuatu. Made to commemorate a deceased ancestor it incorporates the skull and two rip bones in the construction that is otherwise of fern-wood, bamboo and other vegetal materials. The ancestor's position in rank in the nevinbur society is been indicated by the noon nevinbur faces on both shoulders of the figure and by the many boars tusks that adorn it. The perfect estate, the excellent, exuberant decoration and painting and the fine and lifely expression of the face make this piece an outstanding and very important piece of Oceanic Art. Early 20. Cent. 173 cm. More and larger images available. Please inquire for price.

				A fine temes nevinbur Figure This fine figure was used in the nevinbur initiation ritual. Temes is a term that is used for many of the mythological figures that appear in the ritual re-activation of the myths that include the initiation into the nevinbur society. These temes figures have been moved as if dancing within the seperated initiation ground so that the villagers could see them dancing behind a fence of leaves (as if dancing by themselves). The ritual consisted in destroying the initial four dancing temes and then to fabricate many new ones. The initiates then payed with pigs for the posession of several such temes. Excellent expression. 118 cm. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				An impressive Temes Malau Mask This fine and impressive temes Malau Mask features a surealistic figure with long thin extremities that very lively gives the impression of seeiming to want to jump off of the mask. It is very easy to imagine what a vivid impression the mask must have made to onlookers when danced. The head and face of the figure is very finely modelled and has a very good expression. The mythological malau is an old man living under the earth and coming into the village only to dance in the nalawan rites. He is also said to be the husband of nevimburbaau who is the grandmother of the temes nevimbur (see above and below). 72 cm in height. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A rare and fine Nalawan Mask This fine mask has been used in the nalawan rites on Malekula. The same type of mask is pictured on the book "Le voyage de la Korrigane dans les mers du sud" 2003 edition by the Musée de l`Homme in Paris. Very rare and a nice and expressive example. 104 cm. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A very rare Ole Society Mask This old and beautiful mask is from the Ole Secret society in Ambrym, Vanuatu, and is actually a type of Rom Mask. Cane construction with vegetal materials. 34 cm in height. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A fine Temes Nevinbur Mask This striking temes nevinbur Mask is from the same context as the other one above, though different in style. It is a rather strong and agressive piece with protruding sticks from the front and the sides and a not less protruding look. The long 'beard' is of spider web cloth. It has been moved above the fence described above with a stick that had been attached though the spider web. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A fine Luan Secret Society Figure This figure is the normal type of the Luan figures. It has a very nice face, straight body with and remnants of black and white paint. The construction is made of wood, cord and vegetal paste. For more information on the Luan Secret Society please see the description of the figure above. 95 cm. Early 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A fine Temes Malau Mask This fine and intricate temes malau mask features two figures sitting back to back on top of the mask body made of fern tree. The faces of the mask and the onsitters are strikingly painted and decorated with pig teeth, boars tusks and shell eyes. A very rare and beautiful variation of a malau mask. Please see the description of the other malau mask for more information on this type of masks. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A fine and classic Rom Mask I This type being the classical rom kon type of rom masks, they have all the features of that mask type: the fibre beards, the feather tuft, the cane structure hood sealed with a thin layer of spider web and of course the diamond shaped mask face. Very effectively painted in vibrant red and blue. These two masks have been a pair from the same artist and fit together very well also in the collection. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A fine and classic Rom Mask II This type being the classical rom kon type of rom masks, they have all the features of that mask type: the fibre beards, the feather tuft, the cane structure hood sealed with a thin layer of spider web and of course the diamond shaped mask face. Very effectively painted in vibrant red and blue. These two masks have been a pair from the same artist and fit together very well also in the collection. Height: face 44 cm, 88 cm with beard and feathers. First half 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				An interesting Malekula Figure There is not much information coming with this Malekula Mask except for that it has been danced on the arm to freighten off women and children from the male (nevinbur?) rites. Infact the body of the mask is too small to be worn on the head. The figure is sketchily but effectfully modelled. 79 cm in height. Ca mid 20. Cent. Please inquire for larger images or price.

				A small and fine Papuan Gulf Gope Board This small and fine gope boarddates from ca 1930 to 1940. It has an unusual relief pattern and a friendly face. Nice remains of natural white and orange pigments and a collection number "F3" on the reverse. From an Australian collection. 42 cm without the stand. Please inquire for more Papuan Gulf pieces.

				A fine Papuan Gulf Marupai This marupai has a very satisfying and accurate carving. The lower jaw is missing. Nice patina from use. First half 20. Cent. 13,5 cm without the stand. Please inquire for more Papuan Gulf pieces.

				A rare and interesting Papuan Gulf Marupai A beautiful and unusual marupai with a lizard carved in high relief. For a very similar one please see in the John Friede Jolika Book "New Guinea Art" page 470. Nice patina and and a very rare piece. First half 20. Cent. 11 cm without the stand. Please inquire for more Papuan Gulf pieces. Please inquire for more Papuan Gulf pieces.

				A very fine Papuan Gulf Belt Fragment This very fine piece of Papuan Gulf relief carving features a double figure. Very expressive carving with nice remains of red ochre. Early 20. Cent. 30 cm without the stand. Please inquire for more Papuan Gulf pieces.

				A very fine Solomon Island Mbarawa This large and excellent Mbarawa features three complete rows of figures, two ornamental circles and an abstract larger figure on top. The tridacna is partly fossiled and the piece meassures 37,5 cm (height) by 26 cm (width). Early 20. Cent.

				A collection of fine Mursi Lip Plates This fine collection consists of 9 Lip Plates from the Mursi in Ethiopia. 7 of terracotta and 2 of wood. They are well used and vary in seize from 8,7 to 11,8 cm.

				Yanomami Baskets Three very fine, old Yanomami Indians collecting baskets. Top quality. The large one 38 cm in diametre. The larger standing one 20 cm high.

				Yanomami Indians Dart Quiver An excellent, old Yanomami Indians dart Quiver. The red gourd contains the cotton that was attached to the darts to make them blowable by the blow gun. 27 cm.

				A Kayapo Crown A fine Kayapo Indians Crown. Width 51 cm.

				A Xingu Pair of Bracelets A pair of old Xing Bracelets. Please inquire for similar pieces.

				A Tikuna Yaguar Masks This superb Yaguar Mask from the Tikuna People has been danced at a funeral to depict the after life where the decesed would hunt the animals of the forest just like he did in his earthly life. 35 cm.

				A pair of Rikbaktsa Bracelets An excellent pair of Bracelets from the Rikbaktsa.

				A Yanomami Girl's Apron Of red dyed wool and with pieces of River Crabs attached.

				A Cofan Indians tools quiver Of very fine quality, this old quiver contains several arrow and harpoon tips and a piece of coral. Attached to it is a spoon for drinking a fearger earplug and a carving tool of a tooth. Please inquire for more Amazon Indian Hunting tools. 28 cm.

				A Flores Figure This superb, old miniature Figure from Flores exhibits much finer carving than many large Flores Figures do. Perfect carving with subtle features. Very good patina. 8,5 cm.

				A Timor Spoon This old wooden spoon is of great expression. 16,5 cm.

				A Timor Spoon A hauntingly well carved, old spoon. 19 cm.

				A Batak Medicine container The shaman riding a Singa and accompanied by a lizard is an excellent carving and has a surreal, dreamlike expression. The body of the old container is a roe horn. Please inquire for similar pieces. 23 cm.

				A Dayak Monkey Figure A fearful monkey with very nice volumes and expression. 17,5 cm.

				A Flores Comb with two sitting figures This Flores Comb is tiny, but a great work of art. The two figures with excellent form and expression seem to be identical. But they are not! The left one is just a millimetre smaller in every dimension: head, shoulders, body, legs etc: it the female Ancestor sitting next to the male one. It is unbelievable how the carver rendered this very subtle piece of art. 21 cm.

				A Dayak Quiver A monkey is sitting on this old Dayak quiver and protects it. The lid is finely decorated by dayak motives of the stylized Aso. 26,5 cm.

				An Ataoro Ancestor Pair This old Ancestor and very fine Ancestor pair is standing in typical Ataoro in pose leaning forward with the arms stretched out. Beautiful carving and good patina. 20 cm.

				Papuangulfmask A nice and old Papuan Gulf Initiation Mask made of cane weaving with very fine decorative pattern spanning from the eyes to the tip of the beak. Note the teeth on the devouring jaws. The motive of a monster devouring the initiates is common in many Gulf cultures and this mask was to represent one such monster.

				Dogteeth A very fine money strand of dogteeth from the Papuan Gulf. This rare example is over 5 meters long! Such strands have been used as a currency eg at price price ceremonies. A few teeth are of porcellaine. Porcelleine teeth have been imported during the colonial time as a currency to use in trade with the indigenous people.

				Pigtusk A Fine Papuan Gulf Tridacna Shell pendant in the form of a pigtusk. This is a super rare item. The valued pigtusk has been reshaped out of tridacna shell. Very nice trade beads and old binding.

				Shellarmband A nice shell armband from the Papuan Gulf. It has the nice nut tassels still attached. Old trade beads.

				Dogteeth Money A very fine money strand of dogteeth from the Papuan Gulf. Such strands have been used as a currency eg at price price ceremonies.

				Shell Money Another fine tridacna shell pigtusk from the Papuan Gulf. this one is shaped after a concentric pigtusk with the edges joined together.

				An nice Mendi Shoulder Shield This shoulder shield from the Papua New Guinea Highlands is a small and strikingly painted example. A cross of yellow natural pigment has been laid across the shield as an effective tamboo-signal. Two areas of white chalk add further contrast. The shield has a nice patina from use (all over and especially on the protruding parts inbetween which the arm of the warrior was acting with the bow) and has seen definetely some daylight on the green slopes of Mendi Province: there are several holes where arrow tips have entered the wood. In one instance the arrow pierced the shield completely. The rope handle is still in place. 64 cm. Larger images available.

				A nice male Asmat Ancestor Figure This old figure of an Asmat Ancestor is standing straight and self confident with a shiny chocolade coloured body of a very dense and heavy wood. While the face with its round features and protruded tongue looks jaunty and even youthful, the scar-tattoos around the belly supposedly mark him an initiate. The body is slender and the joints are bent in the manner the Amsat men used to dance to the beating drums in the nighty Yeu men’s houses, re-enacting the myth after which in the world’s beginning all people were wooden figures who came to life only through the dance evoking drumming of the creator. 66cm. Larger images available.

				An strong Ramu Ancestor Mask This bold and well formed mask has been danced at initiation on the lower Ramu river. It is elegant and classic with full volumes and fine lines. The conus shells give it a bright and intense look. These masks were often hung in the family houses to act as a protective power. The rim shows several holes for attachment on the cane structures that were used to dance it. Beautiful surface with signs of much use. A crack is running over the left eye and has been repaired in the field on the lower part, adding to the character of this piece. 63 cm.

				A rare and very fine Sepik Hook This fine, fully figural Sepik Hook is exceptional for its small size. A grim looking male Ancestor is standing strong and dominantly on a thin crescent; very much like the man on the moon is standing on the young and fresh new crescent moon. The moon being the female element supporting, yet dominated by the male as one could precis (roghly though!) Sepik society. The details are astonishing in regard of the small size and the bent arms appear like the center of an oval prescribed by the crescent, another time echoed in the oval face. It should be hard to find a smaller figural hook. It is interesting that the different length in this piece correspond to the rules of the golden cut. Very fine patina with much use and shiny areas next to the feet where the bilum bags have hung. 23,5 cm.

				A nice Murik Lakes Amulet Mask This small mask from the Murik Lakes on the mouth of the Sepik has been an amulet and talisman. It has an ancient look with the eye-element formwise melting to one with the beak like nose. The pierced ears must have worn decorations one day. Signs of much use. 17,5 cm.

				A beautiful Asmat Brazza River Shield Coming from the Brazza River, this shield is of the rarest type of all Asmat shields. It has a very deep relief carving of abstract signs coloured in contrasting white and ochre and has the Brazza eye and nose-motive on top. The handle has been broken off and repaired in the field by nails. Another native repair in on the left edge of the shield. The back shows some some grafitti and signs in charcoal, a common pastime in this area. All of which is telling the history of this piece. This shield has much character and a good seize at 144 cm.

				A large and beautiful Middle Sepik Hook This large and impressive Food Hook is carved identical on both sides. The body showing abstract patterns evolving from a central navel motive. The top shows two faces, one at each site, with bold lips and accentuated eyes, topped by a loop for attachment on the ceiling of the men’s house. Beneath the hook elements on the very bottom are two supposedly animal faces. The piece is a bit darker in reality than on the images and has a nice patina with good signs of use. 102 cm.

				A nice Abelam Ancestor Figure This figure is an ancestor figure from the Maprik area of the Sepik. It stands upright with the arms and legs organicly meandering around the body and boasts with many suggestive details painted in contrasting colours. The belly for example seems to form a second face with the pending white necklace as the nose, the nipples as the eyes and the yellow navel as the mouth. The brightly and festively painted face of the figure is surrounded by the full head gear of the novices and a totemic spirit bird is settled in it being enthroned above it all. The bird’s wings again migth be birds by themselves, as well as might be two other elemets protruding on the back of the neck. The figure is 61,5 cm without the stand.

				A beautiful Abelam Decorative Panel This large and impressive carving might have been a wall-hangig in a men’s house. It resemble the wooden head decorations used during initiation but is much larger than these. Very skillfully worked in ajour with void areas inlining the constituent forms it shows a squatting ancestor figure surrounded by traditional motives and symbols and topped by two hornbill birds. Beaks of the hornbill are also incorporated besides the ears in the headdress. Another complete bird is sitting upside down at the figure’s right site and on the left is a single cockatoo beak. This very happy and colourful piece meassures 132 cm.

				A fine, old Papuan Gulf Bullroarer This old piece is from the eastern Papuan Gulf from the area of Orokolo. The depicted spirit figure is standing on two feet and bears the central navel motive and a smiling face. Two long elements accompanying the body on both sides might be interpreted as arms. What makes this piece interesting is the knot-like circle on the top of the figure which is a cross-hint to the crocodile spirit nature of some bullroarers: though the figure has a human face and appearance, the upmost circle of the headdress is at the same time the nose of a crocodile as seen from above. The V-shaped, with carving decorated edge of the bullroarer is – following the famous anthropologist Williams – the reminiscence of the „shark“-mouth, or just mouth motive found so often in Papuan Gulf Art. This excellent piece is very old with a fine patina and much sign of wear. It will be published in a book. Please inquire for more information. Please contact for larger images or any further information.

				An old Kikori River Gope Board, documented in situ This expressive gope board is a vivid example with dynamic lines featuring an abstract spirit body. As well the white as also the red bent lines are associated with extremities as is suggested by their respective zigzag-edges indicating hands and feet. Three sections, each centred by a navel motive surround the astute face with pierced nose. This very gope was field-photographed by Eudaldo Serra and is published in the famous Book „Art Papou“ accompanying the Marseille exhibition in 2000. Clear, deeply cut carving with good signs of age. Please contact for larger images or any further information. 157 x 42 cm.

				A rare and fine Malekula Figure This fine Ancestor Figure from Malekula/ Vanuatu was probably the effigy ontop of a dance mask, but might also have been made for other –magic and or ritual– reasons. A beautiful, effective dispersion of red, blue and white pigments together with the expressive forms give it a very communicative face and appearance. An old example with well preserved colours and the typical head decoration of spider-web still in place. Please contact for larger images or any further information.

				An old Sepik River Men’s House Post This exceptional fragment of a house-post of a Haus Tambaran at the Middle Sepik displays three very fine Ancestor faces. One on each side and a smaller Ancestor Mask being carved at one of the slender edges. Ornamentic forms lead the sight of the onlooker to two crocodiles and two turtles at the edges, both animals being highly charged with mythological meaning in Sepik cosmology. Very nice eroded patina and a convenient size at 183 x 35 cm. Please contact for larger images or further information.

				An old and striking Ramu Mask This old Initiation Mask is an exceptional striking example with its lucid red and its vivid conus shell eyes accentuated by the bold black line mediating between the temple and the noistrils of the mask. The patina is excellent with deep layers of pigment from enoumerous times of activation through painting in rituals. The holes for attachment on the dance costume are all carved which is another sign of good age. When not used in dance these masks – which were tought to be very powerful – would be kept in the house to protect its inhabitants. 38 cm in height. Please contact for larger images or further information.

				A nice Murik Lakes Amulet Figure This nice classic amulet figure in beak-style is from the Murik Lakes area at the lower Sepik and represents an ancestor. This kind of figures would have been carried in a net bag as a protective amulet at hunting or trading expeditions or just kept and consulted in the house. Nice patina from much use. 25,5 cm.

				An interesting Lower Sepik style Amulet figure This beautiful amulet figure is from the Shouten Islands off the Sepik River mouth. The function of this figure is probably the same as of the figure above. The pose with bent knees and elbows and with the hands holding onto the prolonged nose is rare; together with the nice shiny patina it makes this small figure a handsome and interesting one. 12cm in height.

				A fine Fjii Club A rare and very detailed Fiji chief club, Totokia. The lower part of the grip has fine incised zig-zag lines as embellishment and is rounded up by a strong protruding bulge. The top has the typical pineapple-form with rare inlays of presumably bone at the pointed beak.Very nice dark, shiny patina all over. 19th Cent. AD. 92,5 cm long.

				An old Massim Axe An old and complete Massim stone axe with a beautiful green stone tightly fit and bound by rotan into the wooden handle. Decades of use are visible on this rare piece, yet it is complete and perfect. Stylized fishes decorate both sides of the top part of the body. 19th /early 20th Cent.

				A fine Sepik Figure Kinsin is the name of the first ancestor that lived at the area where the Sepik River flows today. He is the father of all men and women, white and black and is caracterized by his slender form and his nose reaching down to the sex. His tongue is protruding from his mouth and the edge of his chin is decorated by a mighty beard as is visible on this figure. All of which are the typical features of Kinsin. Sepik Ancestors, like the ancestors of the Australian Aboriginies often changed their forms and at the same time created the present landscape. Kinsin once changed his appearance to that of a snake and his body became the Sepik basin with the river and all the ground his descents live until this present day. This small and beautiful figure is a rare depiction of Kinsin with all features of the heroe. It is carved in the so called beak style and was used in the Murik lagoon to serve as a shrine figure. It was consulted before those sea journeys the Murik people not seldomly undertook and at this occasion the lower legs were rubbed with a bone or knife to get some of the sacred power from the figure as flour to take with during the journey. The features of this excellent piece are rounded up by a superb patina. Early 20th Cent./ pre 1930, 19,50 cm high.

				A superb New Guinea Stone Figure A superb New Guinea magic Figure carved from a hard stone, with remnants of pigments from many uses in ceremonies. The skillfully composed clear geometric forms of this extraordinary rare type of figure create the spezial charm of it. The quaderly formed head is sitting on a point in between the ankled arms. The dominant element of the nose indicates a central axis, echoes the void in between the feet of the figure and creates the cheek areas at its both sides where the eyes are the prominent elements. The noistrils of the nose are almost as dominant as the eyes and the lower bent line of the nose contraposes the up-bent line of the friendly smiling mouth. For some unknown but certainly ritual reason, the feet are bound with old and patinated strings of rotan as if intending to ever prevent the figure from running away from its new place in your collection. Excellent patina. Lower Sepik or North Coast New Guinea. Please note the other fine stone carvings on these webpages.

				A very fine and elegant female Sepik Figure This fine Sepik Figure has a superb charisma. The way the figure is composed form-wise is incredibly powerful. The figure stands on elegantly small legs and feet and the whole body continuously develops through ever more voluminous forms as it raises upwards. The soulders as the accentuated broadest point of the torso carry the head which is the focal point of this piece. The head is soulfully rendered in soft and confident lines. Held in a slightly inclined position with pointed chin and very talkative mouth and eyes. Thus this figure is a very special conversation piece in the sense that you will feel it is communicating with you when you are both alone! There is an age crack running over the back of the torso. Together with the nice patina this adds to the nobel feeling of this piece. Sepik River, New Guinea.

				A fine Gope Sirit Board As Robert Welsch notes in his recent article on Papuan Gulf Art (in „Coaxing the Spirits to Dance“, Hood Museum of Art), boards like this one are rather Spirit Boards than, as they are usually called, ancestor boards. This beautiful, serene board with a vivid, moving design is thus representing a bush spirit likely associated with the clan or totemic group of the Papuan owner. The board has a nice weathered patina all over and yet has some remains of red ochre. The age cracks do not endanger the stability of the board at all and add to the inspiring character of this piece.

				A fine Sepik Figurine A fine, small Sepik figure with a delicate body of great dynamic forms. This figure must have been the figure a small hook once, as although there is no hint that the feet have been broken off from the hook element (no visible break, all patinated), there is a loop at the back of the figures head for suspension. The fact that the broken off feet are perfectly patinated shows that this figure has been used for many years even after its function as a hook was already history. Presumably the ancestor represented was too important for some reason to be substituted by a new figure, as it was usually done. A piece with a telling history and a form that is powerful although it is small, so much so, that it is easily imaginable from the pictures that this figure would be much larger than it actually is. Middle Sepik, New Guinea.

A fine Middle Sepik Flute Stopper

This fine and old Middle Sepik Flute Stopper is a beauty in its simple and elegant form. It must have added much grandeur to a large sacred flute that was played in initiation ceremonies in one of the middle Sepik villages in the early 20st Century. Adding to the flute the blessing of the important ancestor it must have represented, this flute stopper was among the very sacred objects and was to be presented together with the flute to the adepts during initiation. The expression of the face is almost solemn with the quiet and serious look that does not stand back to the look of deep contemplation found on fine Asian Buddha sculptures. The nose might once have held a septum piercing as a small piece of the lower septum is missing today. 1rst class patina. Please see Gallery IV for another flute stopper. Middle Sepik, New Guinea.

				A rare and fine Mendi War Shield This war shield from the Mendi people in the Southern Highlands of New Guinea is one of the rare ones that feature a clearly recognizable human figure. The figure is highlighted with red colour and carved pattern of small horizontal chips. The outer border of the figure is both a single carved line and white painted rim. The thin arms and legs rendered in the same manner like the rim of the figure have a posture easily likened to the way a lizard angles its extremities. The sharp angle of the elbows and knees are echoed by the two triangles that are set as framing elements on the top and the bottom of the shields. The original rope handle is still in place. A fine piece with a great patina which shows it had been carried in war in a lot of times. Mendi, New Guinea.

				A fine Abelam male Ancestor Figure This fine Abelam/ Wosera Figur is dimensioned in three parts which are about of the same size each. The legs (1) of strong calf and tighs (as seen from the side) are intersected by knob-like, protruding knees. Following the principle of accentuated intersections - like seen at the legs – above the intersection of the prominent sex, the torso (2) already echoes the head with its almond shape. The arms are tightly fastened to the body and adorned with rings on the upper arm and again accentuated wrists. The head with the Wosera-style nose and the T-line eyebrows wears a crown-like waken-headdress with an upward peak. The pouting mouth with protruding lips give it a special individuality, maybe this of a respected elder gone to the ancestor-world. There is a thin brown vesp-line running along the right arm. Few smaller age cracks and a beautiful black patina round up this beauty. Abelam/ Wosera people, New Guinea.

				A rare and very fine Admirality Spear Point Figure This very fine and rare Admirality Figure once gave the power of an ancestor to the throwing skills of a warrior and still has the obsidian blade in the attachment on its head.. The long legs directly come out of the shaft of the spear and are contrasting to the tiny arms that are held by the black accentuated shoulders and are carved in a small distance to the torso. The head sitting on a white collar is carved to pronounce the beak-stile mouth which is effectfully directed to the ground thus melting with the line of the chin when seen from the front. Only when observed from below the opening of the mouth is clearly visible. The white impressing eyes are contrasted by the black line of the head-band. The red parts of the torso framed by areas of black and white symbolise the cycle of birth and perish in the all dominant colour symbolism in Admirality Islands Art.

				A rare and fine Sepik Figure This fine and rare figure is a handle figure from an old Garamut Drum. The squatting Ancestor, with his hands holding his knees , an oval head, slitted eyes und distinctive nose with traditional shell-adornment carved in wood has a large lizard or varanus sitting on its back over the whole length, following a common iconography of slit drum figures. The lizard is ejecting its tongue, as if catching an insect. A bird-like creature is sitting on top of the figure's head. Beautiful dynamic carving and fine patina as the drum has been used for many decades before it was replaced by a new one. Kaireru Island, Mouth of the Sepik.

				A excellent and rare Admirality Island Figure Another rare and excellent piece from the Admiralities in this collection. This single standing Ancestor Figure has been collected by Dr. August Krämer during the German colonial period and was then in the Linden Museum Stuttgart (Inventory number 83997) where it was later de-acquisitioned. It is a beautifully carved classic in every respect. The canon of forms and colours as found in Admirality Islands Art (see descripton of figure 8 in Galley I) is perfectly and effectfully applied in this carving with its white chevrons, black lines and accentuated white areas (eg head, collar). A very fine piece that stands strong and speaks for itself. The first two images of the figure are from a pastel-chalk drawing by Holger Braun, which is not included in this lot.

A very fine and large Stone Churinga

Incorporating the song, totemic story and individual history of the owner, this stone was one of the most sacred and secret objects of Aboriginal Australia. Belonging personally to one person alone, in some societies the owner could only see and touch a churinga for the first time after his fingernails were all pulled out and of course never after instruction from the elders. Churingas were brought out of their hide-aways in dessert only seldomly and were never held or handeled without sychroniously singing their individual totem related song. The symbols on the piece itself stand for a specific (Creator-)Ancestor and tell hie or her story and at the same time they describe a special ceremony contemplating these ancestors. Luckily through the notes of some field researchers we can deciffer a great part of the signs on this special churinga and thus have a glimpse to the ritual connected with it. The central spiral that in other contexts is often referred to as ‘water-holes' is possibly a sand drawing here as on both sides of it are the u-shape signs for sitting person, two on each side. Around the group of men gathered for the ritual are the tracks of emu birds, thus it is surely the ritual of men belonging to the emu totem and the ritual is related to their common emu ancestor. The circle in the middle of the sitting men might then stand for the place where the emu ancestor went into the earth to live on there and to be evoked again from there by ritual.

Once the totem, the churinga, the related stories, the form of ritual and the specific song all belonged together to create one experience. While the song is most likely lost we still have some access to a the setting of the ritual through the signs on this stone, which makes it, apart from the huge seize and its beauty a very special one. Central Australia.

				A fine Aboriginal Wunda Shield A fine Wunda Parrying Shield from Western Australia. Dark red lines contrasted by white lines are running in a generous zizag over old incisions. It is of an elegantly slender form and the colours are strong and vibrant. Beautiful Patina from use. West Australia.

				A beautiful Lower Sepik Betelnut Mortar This beautiful Betel-Nut Mortar is from the St. Augustin Museum with appositional inventory catalogue page. The vessel is held by two almost identical ancestor faces in Janus-composition, finely rendered with great expression. The lower part of the pot bears traditional incisions and it is in these incisions that this piece becomes an especially fine example of a mortar: almost hidden between the faces is a small human figure at both sides. Below the figure is a beautiful fruit-bat motive with rolling wings (see the lower Sepik Mask in Gallery IV for the same incision-motives of human figures and fruit bats). Fine patina from extensive use.

				A beautiful Sepik Figure A beautiful Figure from the Lower Sepik area. The fact that Sepik Art is so famous might well come from the very special set of forms that sometimes lead to impressive carvings like this one: figures so strange of an expression that they seem to come from a world beyond the one we know. This apparition from the otherworld is an Ancestor rendered with a strong beak in the upper part of which are set the dominant, deep eyes. From the side, the beak forms a loop with the body that is topped by a cone-like head adornment. Figures like these have been used in daily magic and the red ochre applied on it was often thought as especially effective a colour adding strength to the carving. A classic and nice carving with signs of use and abrasion.

				An extraordinary beautiful Sepik Initiation Mask This very special initiation mask is an old example from the Karawari River, a tributary of the Sepik. These masks were stored in the men's houses to be used during initiation ceremonies. At a certain stage the initiants will receive the ‘bite of the crocodile', a scar tattoo, by their respective mother-brothers who during the process wear this kind of masks. It is made of cane-weaving and somewhat resembles the haus tambaran (spirit house) with the mouth being its entrance. The blue colour is made from washing powder, which was a fashion to apply as colour on ritual objects during the German colonial period. An extraordinarily beautiful example like it is very difficult to be matched by other examples. Great form and colouring. Karawari/ Blackwater area, Sepik River, New Guinea.

				A fine and rare Boiken Food Bowl This fine Boiken Bowl is rare as it is featuring a complete lizard raising its upper part up from the body of the bowl in a gesture as if in curiosity. Fine carving and beautiful dark patina. Boiken Area, North Sepik, New Guinea.

A very fine Pintupi Aboriginal Churinga

This extraordinary large churinga is from the Pintupi people in the Central Australian Dessert. For a detailed description of churinga usage and significance please see object 3 in Gallery II. While some churingas were of stone, many were of wood and only in wood do we find examples of such a length as this one. After Scrobogna (Traumzeitwanderer, Vienna and Munich, without Jear) the pattern incised on this piece are symbolising water. Both sides of this piece are carved identically in a dynamic pattern of alterating circles and connecting bows in parallel lines. Another interesting thing to note is that the symbols on this and other churingas are made of sets of multiple lines. As the usual tool to work these pieces was a tooth of a possum or similar, broad lines were best achived by setting the thin tracks a tooth produces next to each other to create broader dimensions. Central Dessert, Australia.

				A large and beautiful Fertility Stone The green Je stones from the Central Highland Dani in West Papua are somewhat similar in their form and the way they are treated secretly and with great respect to the Australian Churingas. This stone comes from the neighboring Jali/ Eipo people in the Central Highlands and not only is carved with circles and lines like the Central Dessert churingas are, but also used in fertilty rites' context, just like many Australian churingas are. Not exactly a missing link, but a noteworthy similarity. These stones are quite rare and especially such a large and beautifully rendered one as this example. You can find another, smaller example as well as a wooden shield from the same area in the “<1000” section on this web-site.

				A very fine Geelvink Bay (Korwar) Shield This very fine shield is illustrated in “Shields of Melanesia” by Harry Beran and Barry Craig (Ed.s) on page 29, featuring as the first of the shields presented in this book. There it is described as a war and dance shield. What is the special element which makes this shield a precious and rare one is the clear and complete figure shown on the top front of the shield. The face of the figure with the typical Korwar style anchor-formed nose is framed by rich, dynamic and accurate ornaments. These ornaments are clearly inspired by art forms from the western islands. Even the arms and legs of the figure extend into ornaments and a separate set of ornaments are positioned below the figure with the upmost part sharply set to point to the sex of the figure and the lower part softly swinging downwards the shield. Geelvink Bay. New Guinea.

				A very fine Geelvink Bay (Korwar) Figure This figure is of an excellent individual expression. With one arm missing it looks like a boxer holding the arm ready to throw a punch. Even more this expression is enhanced by the broad and thin, decided mouth and the tiny, pointed bead eyes. The fascination of this expression is rounded up by the fact that this so angry and decisive bloke is cutely fitting into your hand, so no need to fear in case of an acquisition, it's too small to really do any harm! What can't be shown on the images, but is an essential part of this piece is the special honey yellow patina of the soft wood. When the light is right or when it is held next to a light source it begins to shine with a beautiful glimmer. An hardly describable effect and a beautiful aspect of this piece. Geelvink Bay. New Guinea.

				A rare and beautiful Digul Shield Shields from the Digul/ Mappi area are rare and this is a beautiful example of a dance shield. With designs on the shield-body similar to Asmat shields. The potruding upper part might be thought with phallic connotations. At the same time it is making the shield resembling a leave, giving it the piece of the stem and a central axis design-wise. The handle is missing and the break patinated. A well used example which had been kept in the house with the carved part upwards hanging in the ceiling. Thus the beautiful design on it was safed and the back received a nice thick patina from the smoke of the cooking-fire. Digul River, South New Guinea.

				A very fine and rare Lake Sentani Bone Dagger This bone dagger is an extremely rare example from the Lake Sentani Area. Absolutely perfect patina from much wear, perfect form and incised with fine Sentani style patterns. Lake Sentani. North New Guinea.

				A fine and ancient Karawari Cult Hook Face Christian Kaufmann estimates these carvings to be over 200 years old. This piece attracts through the ancient look to it and the look through its wooden eyes is telling one of the longest stories possibly been told by a piece of Oceanic Art. What is special is that despite the considerable age of it and while the form has been changed by passing decades, it is still possible to feel the original ‘spirit' of the piece and also of the wood taken to realize this art work. With the help of passing ages and the wet environment of the cave where it had been stored it has gained this special and telling surface. Note that despite the state of weathering the loop of the pierced nose is still intact.

				A set of three fine Western Dessert Australian churingas Each of these three churingas is special in its own right and different from the others and as a group they give a perfect example of the variations found within Western Dessert form language. For a comment on the functions of churingas please see object 3 in Gallery II. For a comment on the style please see description of object 1 in Gallery III. Each of these three churingas is a fine and used example. While the middle and the right one have plain backs, the left one has an interesting carving of two snakes coming together at a h-shaped place, probably a land-mark. Western Dessert, Australia. Sells as a set.

				A fine Casuarina Coast Asmat Paint Dish Being the first area to have been opened of all the Asmat areas, authentic example like this one are among the oldest Asmat pieces found in collections (apart from very few pieces collected in the early colonial years). This well used paint dish has a protruding figure that has functioned as a kind of handle. Maybe the rare posture of the figure is showing a man preparing the sago grubs for a ritual. The object the man is holding thus might be a sago mat like one example is to be found in the “<1000”-section on this web-page. If this is right, then this bowl might have been used as a sago dish before it was turned a paint bowl. The pattern incised in its lower part and the vibrant colour that is highlighting it is well done. The inner side of the bowl shows mere landscapes of layers of paint, indicating that it has been used to paint a lot of ritual objects over many years. A small area of insect damage to the left rim of the piece. Coastal Asmat, South New Guinea.

				Three very fine Sepik War Daggers These three war daggers from the Middle Sepik are the protagonists is a poetic scene: Imagine the jungle banks along-side the mighty Sepik river represented in the plant-motives on the dagger in the middle. It is night and the thick leaves give free sight to the starry sky and the fastly rushing full moon is responding your glance with a face of surprise (dagger on the left side with moon face). Over the whole scenery you hear the cries of two cockatoos (left and right dagger). The dagger on the right is a superb example of a cockatoo-carving. Not only is the joint of the bone carved like a bird beak (with the tongue in the middle), the upper part of the beak features a miniature bird in itself with a beautifully bent body and miniature wings. Once there were two such birds, one is broken away and the break is patinated. Three very fine pieces that sell as a set. Sepik River, New Guinea

				A nice Telefol Shield This beautiful shield from the Ok People in the Central Highlands New Guinea is of a slender form and shows the common features of pieces from this area. The form of the shields hints to its original use as a house board, the rotan string attached to it as a carrying device though makes it possible that it was used as a shield for protection or representation too. A rare and beautiful piece. Central Highlands, New Guinea.

				A fine Lower Sepik Mask An excellent mask from the lower Sepik/ Ramu area. These masks were used at intitation ceremonies and were thought as inhabited by very potent ancestor spirits. When not used in ceremony, it was carefully kept in the house and respected because of its influence on the living. This example is classic with the beautiful nose swung in a powerful, yet elegant spiral, the roundly shaped prominent eyes and the sharp temple line with fine incisions above. The fine incisions show stylized human figures and fruit bat motives like the Betel-Nut Mortar in Gallery II. The outer chevrons symbolizing a beard join the area around the mouth of the mask with the upper decorative part and the incised figures find their echoe respectively These areas of incisions, highlighted by yellow pigments (and actually the hairy areas of a face), frame and accentuate the red face with its large black eye-areas in which the eyes are set as sharp slits focussing the onlooker. Old carved holes for attachment to a cane superstructure and for tassels to the ears. A fine patina of age. Sepik/ Ramu, New Guinea.

				A very nice Marupai Sorcerer's Charm This marupai is of a very special character. With the original carrying bag still in place this piece is of an exceptional clear design made of bands consisting of tiny highly accurate tines. The patina is nothing less than superb with a shiny deep black. The lower lip is broken in the old days which does not distract from the beauty of this piece. Marupais were used in different ways, most prominently as sorcerer's charms. Papuan Gulf, New Guinea.

				A fine Lower Sepik Flute Stopper This beautiful small piece is a flute stopper from the Lower Sepik/ Ramu area. Rendered like one of the large initiation masks with the beak-style nose and the tiny shell inlay eyes, this flute stopper was attached to one of the bamboo flutes that were played at the same occasions at which the the large masks were also used. The part of the stopper that once went into the bamboo-shaft of the flute looks like a cylinder-hat and fits great to the marupai whose small bilum bag a bit looks like a bonnet. Lower Sepik/ Ramu area, New Guinea,

				A fine Asmat Crocodile Bone Dagger This fine Bone Dagger is a ritual dagger from the Asmat People. It is decorated by tufts of cassowary feathers, red and white seeds. Old binding, fine form and patina. Asmat, South New Guinea.

				A rare Aboriginal Stone Churinga This stone churinga is very special because of the extraordinary type of iconography. One side shows a snake meandering over the length of the stone. The other side shows an arrange of signs or symbols, of which two could be interpreted to be a bough and a boomerang. A rare, interesting and beautiful example of a stone churinga.

				A beautiful Mahakala Mask from Tibet. Vibrant colours and expression. Small loss at the mouth. Fine patina.

				A fine Himalayan Shaman's Mask. Good signs of wear and use and a an age loss running across the mouth in a way that perfectly adds to the strong appearance and charm of this piece.

An Himalayan Shaman's Mask of the form of a cat of prey.

It is easy to imagine impressive performances with this rare form of a mask. Old losses at the jaws and rigt ear. Well used.

				A nice and old Himalayan Shaman's Mask with a moustage. Good signs of wear and use.

An impressive Himalayan Shaman's mask

Like with N° 2 of this collection the loss at the mouth is strongly adding to its expression. A piece that must have executed a strong impact on the participants of a healing seance. Well used.

A friendly and beautiful Shaman's Mask of an oblong form.

Maybe featuring a monkey. Well used and patinated. Terrail, Nepal.

				A fine Himalayan Shaman's Healing Mask. A classical one with a fine patina.

				A nice and very individual Himalayan Sherpa Mask. Of an akward but powerful form. A mask whose look does not seem to take it too seriously.

				A fine Himalayan Sherpa Mask. Of a clear and expressive form. Nice patina.

				A beautiful Himalayan Shaman's Mask with an open mouth. Showing it's tongue as if talking in explanations. The eyes fix the on-looker. Old, well used piece.

				An impressive Himalayan Shaman's Mask. With a very concentrated and severy look that is easy to imagine to have impressed its spectators a lot. Well used.

				A Tibet Mask of a very characterfull expression. Presumably representing a demon. Well used.

				A very good Himalayan Shaman's Mask. Of wide open eyes and mouth. Remains of red colour. Fine Patina.

				A fine Himalayan Shaman's Mask with beard. Very acurate features and a sophisticated and severe look. Fine Patina.

				A beautiful Archaic Himalayan Shaman's Mask. A smaller type than the others (ca 20 cm). Deep patina from use. Repair visible at the back of the mask.

				A fine Himalayan Newari Copper Mask. Very clear expression and well used and patinated.

				A beautiful Asmat Pirr Sago Mat. Used in sago ritual. The mat is of a dense weaving with an abstract painted design. It was made by women, who incorporate their special knowledges of clan issues into the abstract design similar to like the men do in their shields. These mats are usually used and treasured over years and repainted at reactivation. Asmat, West Papua.

				A rare and fine Marind Anim Stone Spear-Thrower Tip. Attached to the tip of a spearthrower of wood or bamboo (by a cord going through the chamfers of the stone) the spear was laid onto the spear-thrower with the tip of the hook at the rear tip of the spear. These stones were much treasured objects among the Marind Anim and served as money in exchange. Marind Anim, South New Guinea.

				A fine Timor Lime Container. With two pending lime containers of bamboo attached to an elaborate canopy of coconut shell adorned with old Dutch coins. Some of the coins are original from the 17th Cent! Had been attached to a belt and worn by men. A very fine and beautiful piece of artwork with tiny incisions, beads and age old jingling coins. Timor.

				A fine Jali People Head Decoration. Rare because the wood part of the adornment is carved in the same way the shields of this area are. With swinging Cockatoo feathers it was worn attached to the back of the head of a warrior. I was told by a Jali elder that sometimes it was also used for divination. Jalimek, Central New Guinea Highlands.

				A set of four Eipo People Ear Plugs. These ear plugs have been worn by men of the Eipo in the Central Highlands. Decorated with small incision-carvings. One plug shows the drawing of an airplain, probably a Cesna as they are often used to cater this rugged mountain area. Fine patina. Eipo-mek, Highlands of West Papua.

				An Admirality Obsidian Spear Tip ex Webster Collection. Beautiful old example. W 42 ex Webster Coll. Please inquire for more excellent Admirality Islands spears and carvings. Admirality Islands, North Coast New Guinea.

				A beautiful Asmat Figure. Hardwood, slender form and fine carving. Asmat, West Papua.

				A Jali People Net Bag of Pig Tails. Pig tails are been collected at any pig feast (earth oven cooked!). If a collection is complete a women might work it into such a bag for her husband to use at a daily base to carry all odds of things. The jaws of the same bigs can be found neatly collected in a rack in the men's house, smoke-patinated by the central fire. A rare and beautiful piece. Jali, West Papuan Highlands.

				A collection of Dayak Ear-Weights. With 680 gramme (!) the large drop-shaped earweights of this small collection are probably the heaviest example to be found anywhere in collections or museums. A pair of small children's earrings and a pair of sets of single rings accompany this rare find. Dayak, Borneo.

				A nice set of Timor Mandrels. Interesting varying forms, great patinas and very special items. Timor.

				A great Sepik Stone Carving. An ancestor face and a lizard are combined in here in a great way. Gentle and very fine forms create a great tension within this carving. It can be set on the mount in two different ways. Almost like two pieces for one price! Sepik, New Guinea.

				A rare and nice Brazza/ Asmat Shield. The design is a geometrized abstract human form, tiny hands are visible at the inner ends of the red spiral motives. What is nice is that you can not actually tell if the carver intended red spirals or white ones. It's a vexir-image, ie depending on your personal decision you see it as white OR as red spirals. Inner Asmat, West Papua.

				A nice Citak/ Asmat Shield. It is carved on a slightly bent board which gives it a vivid appearance when seen in reality (the images do not really show this). The motive is often interpreted as a water-motive. The yellow areas on the head of the shield are said to be cheeks. Inner Asmat, West Papua.

				A beautiful small Asmat Drum. The skin is intact and held in place through being attached to the handle like it is sometimes also found on drums from the Papuan Gulf. Beautiful patina. Asmat, West Papua.

				A fine New Ireland Kapkap. Delicately carved turtle shell onlay on tridacna slice. New Ireland.

				A beautiful Sepik Kina Shell. Adorned with Kauri and Nassa Shells. Old patinated binding. Sepik, New Guinea.

				A set of Lake Sentani Glass Money/ Beads and a Ring. These items were used as a currency within the Lake Sentani Societies. The origin of these items is uncertain. Neatly wrapped they were usually stored away treasures. The green glass items were especially treasured and a means of ranking the glass items in value was checking the way the bubbles within the glass were dispersed and if there were bubbles at all. For this purpose the piece was held against the sun. This beautiful green ring has bubbles more beautiful than visible on the photos! Accompanied by 4 green beads. Sentani Lake, North New Guinea.

				A precious large Tridacna Shell Money Ring. Some of these rare rings that were used at exchange ceremonies on the North Coast of New Guinea are of this enormous large size and made of one piece of shell. North Coast New Guinea.

				A rare and beautiful small axe. This small but fine axe is probably from the West Papuan Highlands. Special is the carved human face on the handle and the form of the grey/ green stone, which is slightly concave on the lower side of it and is carved in very subtle and accurate lines. Beautiful patina on the binding and handle. West Papuan Highlands.

				A Sepik Ancestor Figure. This figure has served as a Betel-Nut Mortar. It is carved as a complete Janus figure, which even the more rare as the body of both figures is the same one. Carved in beak-style with deep hollow eyes, a heavy looking body on strong legs and large feet (on both sides!) The strong figure iconographically seems to be really set for the purpose to sustain the heavy force of crunching betel nuts on the small vessel in its hands, sustaining it with its strong body. Form and function unite in a great artistic solution. Sepik, New Guinea.

				A nice New Guinea Highland Aumak with a tiny Kina Shell. Of small bamboo sticks strings tightly joint together. Each bamboo stick stands for a certain amount of Kina shells that are brought into the Moka exchange circle by a bigmen. Each Kina shell that is lent is supposed to come back with some extra interest. The longer the aumak of a man the more people he has working for him to enlarge his wealth and the more influential he is. A beautiful example and special with the attached kina Shell. Southern or Western Highlands, New Guinea.

				A rare Eipo West Papuan Highland Shield. This shild from the Eipomek has been used in fertility rituals and is carved in the same geometry as the small Stone found also on this page. A deep carving with remains of red, white and yellow pigments. There are several other items from the Eipomek and Jali People to be found among the items currently on offer on these pages. A very rare piece. See the book “Shields of Melanesia” for a shield from the same area. Eipo-mek, West Papuan Highlands.

				A small Eipo Magic Stone. Same design as the shield above and used in a similar context to enhance the fertility of garden crops. Beautiful and rare piece. Eipomek, West Papua.

				A Dani Warrior Adornment. From the Dani in the Highlands of West New Guinea is this net-bag, that was worn at the neck hanging down to the back of a Dani Warrior. Feathers of a bird of prey. Dani, West Papuan Highlands.

				A fine Yalibu Presentation Stone Axe. This axe was used in dances (singsings) to enhance the impression of strength of a warrior. The stone is a very dark green. Great patina and good, classic form. Southern Highlands, New Guinea.

				A fine Huon Gulf Bowl. With Frigate Bird motive identical on both sides below the rim of the bowl. The bottom shows the emblemic Huon Gulf Snake fround on many carvings from this area. Excellent patina. Huon Peninsula, New Guinea.

				A fine Mendi Singsing Apron. Traditionally worn by men at singsings, made of tight weaving and the bands all ending in attached pigtails. Small bits of Opossum fur and chains of rings of woven rotan. A perfectly preserved and vibrant piece. Mendi, Southern Highlands, New Guinea.

				A fine Highland Moka Kina. For the sake of presentation the Kina Shell had been mounted on a wooden board and attached to it by raisin. Note that this piece is an old one on real wood, not a card-board Moka Kina, like they were used after contact. Sepik, New Guinea.

				A set of three Aboriginal Woomera Spear Throwers. All of different form. The longest one shows emu tracks painted on it. Central Australia.

				A fine Abelam Bone Dagger. Unlike on the Lower Sepik daggers here the human face is not carved on the shaft of the dagger but on the joint of it, thus the dagger itself becomes the body of the figure. Nice carving. Abelam, West Sepik Province, New Guinea.

				A fine Dani Bridal Skirt. It is rare to find a skirt like this in such a good state of preservation and with such a voluminous form. Made of orchid fibre and bush strings, these skirts were made when a girl got married. Dani, West Papuan Highlands.

				A fine Abelam Baba Mask. Used at the Yam Cult, with a tuft of cassowary feathers, protruding eyes and a small mouth. Tight, old weaving. West Sepik Province, New Guinea.

				A fine Lower Sepik /Ramu Betel-Nut Mortar. The decorative upper rim of the vessel is adorned with four mask-like ancestor faces. An archaic and very good carving. Sepik/ Ramu, New Guinea.

				A serene Jali Men's Bag with Lori-Feathers. Many men used to have a net bag with them for carrying any kind of necessary items. This is an especially beautiful one. West Papuan Highlands.

				A Nice Middle Sepik Coconut-Bowl. Bold, abstract ancestor figures carved in low relief. Sepik, New Guinea.

				A set of six Solomon Island (Torres Strait?) arrows. Fine carvings. The arrow on the right side could be Torres Strait Islands (?). Solomon Islands.

				A set of three Solomon Island Fish Hooks. Bodies of turtle shell with mother of pearl adornments in form of small Bonito fishes. The small shell fishes were blinking in the water to attract the fish. Fine pieces. Solomon Islands.

				A large Jali Ritual Stone. Similar use as the Eipo stone and board above. Nice geometric pattern on an organicly formed flat stone. A rare piece. Jali, West Papuan Highlands.

				A fine Mendi Souther Highlands Men's bag. Of a tight and patinated weaving of the same kind as the stone axe above. Mendi, Southern Highlands, New Guinea.

				A fine Papuan Gulf Kapkap. Fine Example with a European button, but old one. Gulf of Papua, New Guinea.

				A beautiful Boiken Coast Dog Teeth Bracelet. Worn on the upper arm. One of the teeth is a porcelaine tooth brought as an exchange means by the Germans. Boiken Plains, New Guinea.

				A fine Naga Head Hunter Hat. A rare find with small heads made of bone symbolizings victims and indicating the status of the owner of the hat. Each of the heads is carved with individual features. The monkey skull is carved from dark wood. Horns of a goat and patinated weaving. Naga Hills, India/ Birma.

				A nice New Britain Arawe shield. Abstract designs, rotan binding. New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

				A fine Mendi Kina. Used as money, rim of raisin and red pigments. The strip is tightly woven and decorated with pieces of Opossum fur. The knods in the string count the times this shell was given away for exchange. Mendi, Southern Highlands.

				Two Dani Men's Necklaces. The tie-like walimo of nassa shells and the mikak bailer-shell necklaces together are the indispensable accessoires of a man for the attendance on any festive occasion. Both are of the same slender kind and fit perfectly together. Dani, West Papuan Highlands.

				A large West Papuan Highlands Cache-Sexe. This gourd of enormous seize is from the Lani, the western neighbours of the Dani. Fine and rare piece. Lani, West Papuan Highlands.

				A West Papuan Highland necklace. Made of cassowary feather quills, arranged in an attractive form. West Papua.

				A fine Nomad Men's Belt. The bark of this excellent belt is held together by an incredibly fine weaving of smallest dried grass string. These are contrasted by the more organic painted areas reminding of Aboriginal paintings. Fine Patina. Nomad River, Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

				A rare and beautiful Gogodala Figure. Of perfect geometric shape with all the features a good Gogodala Figure can have. Fine expression, very rare piece. Aramia River, Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

				A beautiful Ifugao Jewellery Box. Two sitting bululs form the handle of the bowls' cap. As if they were communicating with each other. Great Patina. Ifugao, Philippines.

				An excellent pair of Ifugao earrings. Long strings of tiny pearls dangle on the earplugs decorated with fine disks of gold worked in an incredibly fine pattern of floral motive. Ifugao, Northern Luzon, Philippines.

				A rare indigenous collection of Asmat Substitute Trophy Skulls. When headhunting was forbidden in the 1960ies, the Asmat made these wooden Trophy Heads to continue to celebrate their rites. An authentic and important stage in their history. This collection was bundled by a rotan string and hang in the house of a headhunter who had to give up his bundle of real skulls. The physiognomy of the single head presumably follow that of the original ones. One is the skull of a child. Another one has a nose-plug of wood. Asmat, West Papua.

				A rare Papuan Gulf Figure. Dating from around 1960ies, a time where some good objects still could be collected in the Gulf area. Wood and grass skirt. Gulf of Papua, New Guinea.

				A giant Solomon Island Dala Kapkap. This very fine piece is very special in it's large seize. Turtle shell ajour-carving on tridacna disk. The turtle shell piece shows dark and blond areas of it's original colour. Beautiful string of tiny shell disks. Matches as a pair with the following kapkap. Solomon Islands.

				A giant Solomon Island Tema Kapkap. Tutle shell on tridacna disk. A fine example. Solomon Islands.

				A nice Dani Je Exchange Stone. The green Je Stones of the great Dani valley were usually stored away in leaf-packages when not proudly brought out for an exchange ceremony eg at a funeral. Used as a currency. A fine example. Orchid string (see the Dani skirt above on this page), dried grass and pieces of fur. Dani, Highlands of West Papua.

				A beautiful Tami Bowl in the form of a turtle. This small Tami Bowl is of great forms and carvings. Old collection number. Huon Gulf, New Guinea.

				A beautiful Asmat Fu Trumpet. Originally used at raids to be sounded over the waters as the canoes assembled. Excellent carving of deep relief. Good patina. Awesome sound. Asmat, West Papua.

				A nice Mendi Souther Highlands Drum. With the skin intact and a superb patina. Mendi, Southern Highlands.

				An interesting Sepik Ritual Stone carving. With two heads, remnants of white lime. Usage unknown. Probably Karawari area. Sepik, New Guinea.

				A beautiful Sepik/Ramu Betelnut Mortar. This nice figure is a Betelnut Mortar from the Lower Sepik or Ramu area. In a bold squatting position it is holding the small vessel with elongated arms. It is sitting on a plinthe wich is repeating the volume and incisions of the bowl and makes it a beautiful work confident in its own energy. There is a small repair on the bowl. Konietzko collection. 20 cm.

				A rare Cofani Indians Quiver Set A rare and beautiful arrow quiver from the Cofani tribe of Ecuador. The blowgun hunters used this type of quivers of bamboo with a gourd containing a natural substance similar to cotton to fit the rear end of the small arrows into the blowgun. A tuft of colourful parrot feathers are attached to the composition. Very nice patina from use and a perfect example. Ca. mid 20th Cent. The blowgun from the same collection is also available.

				A fine New Guinea Ramu Mask A superb coastal Ramu Mask of a very elegant and yet powerful form. Red and blue pigments and shell inlay eyes caracterize this perfect example of a clasical art form. There is a beautiful patina showing much indegenous use all over the piece. The attachment holes at the sides are carved in round edges. A zig-zag line flanking the lower edges symbolize a beard. The same line further up becomes a triple line which at the center above the eyebrows is recognizable as the legs of a lizard, whose stylized body decorates the front of the mask. Mounted on a rotating stand. Early 20th Cent. And meassuring 53 cm.

				A superb ancient Ramu River Flute Mask This is an excellent Ramu River Flute Mask with a strong weathered patina. Once having been attached to a sacred flute it would have been performed at initiation ceremonies and else strictly been kept away from the uninitiated in the men's house. Representing an important clan ancestor, this piece has been carved in such a high skill that it has the most gentle and intelligent expression imaginable for a piece of Melanesian Art. The elegant form and profile, the waethered patina and remnants of red, black and white pigments only add to the extraordinary charm of this rare carving. The original hand drawing by Holger Braun accompanies this piece. 45 cm.

				A nice and interesting figure of an important, old Lady Ancestor This small and Sepik figure depicts an old ancestor lady with pending breasts and traditional head wear. Around the neck she wears a dignifying carved (incised) necklace of dog teeth with a large shell piece in the middle of the necklace, spiral tattoos on the belly and linear tattoos on the back, all of which is hinting to her status. Her nose is interestingly carved in the beak style joining the dorso right underneath the chin. Beautifully patinated. It meassures cm. The original hand drawing by Holger Braun is included. 25 cm.

				A small, older gope board from the Kerewa area (Goaribari Island) in the Papuan Gulf. It shows a full figure in flat relief with a slightly protruding nose. Nice surface, obvious wear and the colours still bright. A perfect small example of a Kerewa gope. Collection number. 65 cm.

				An impressive, older Ramu River Mask of a strong and vibrant form. It has been carved in a perfect round shape accentuated by black and red colours and with a beautifully shaped nose. Small attachment of beads and Nassa shells on the front. Nice patina from wear. Collection number. A powerful example for a classic Ramu mask. 51 cm.

				A superb and rare Stone Churinga From the Kimberleys in West Australia, this very rare and superb stone churinga has the classical form and carvings also found on the pearl shell Longka-Longkas which were traded into many parts of the continent and were originally used as a pubic cover. The totemic designs on this stone churinga have been interpreted as snake spurs. The back side is carved with round circles symbolizing water holes or ceremonial places. Gray schist with natural pigments of mineral red. Churingas were the dwelling places of a persons individual totem, before, during and after the person's life. They are among the most sacred objects of the Aboriginal People. Custom stand.

				A very fine and rare, old Chambri Lakes Hook, Middle Sepik Of a Ancestral Janus face figuration. Finely Executed and with a superb patina, a female (slender) and a male (bold) face with elongated noses adorn this old hook for net bags. Original and old examples of Chambri hooks are very rare, and this is a beautiful one. Custom stand.

				An old and superb Middle Sepik Food Hook With an expressive ancestral face. The perfectly executed facial features with the large open eyes, the broad nose and the protruding tongue make this hook a classic example for Middle Sepik Art. It is powerful in expression, yet of a pensive refinement. Custom stand.

				A beautiful and scarce Dance Shell from Mappi These dance shells have been used at Ceremonial occasions as pubic covers. Custom stand.

				A beautiful and rare Vokeo Mask From the Vokeo Island off the north coast of New Guinea comes this perfectly executed dance mask. The quality of the carving with remains of red and white colour and the intact of fibre work makes this mask an outstanding one. Custom stand.

				A beautiful Jali net bag of parrot feathers The male Jalis use to decorate the net bags with findings from nature. This net bag boasts a beautiful collection of Lori feathers. Custom stand.

				A beautiful Ramu Figure Once the finial of a long paddle, this beautiful Ramu figure has typically reduced and thus powerfully stressed forms. Pierced nose. Custom stand.

				A Rare and classical Sepik Figure In the style of the Lower Sepik, this classical amulet figure represents an ancestor in standing position. The face carved in a similar way the famous masks are carved with pierced ears, nose and back of the head. Some fibre attachments and the Nassa shell ankle band are still in place. Custom stand.

				An old and impressive Ramu River Ancestor Figure of hard wood. Beautiful concentrated and strong expression with the arms symmetrically on the belly. Nice shiny patina. Ex Jim Davidson, ex Alex Philips. 30,5 cm on custom stand.

				An old Lower Sepik Ancestor Figure. This figure in beak style has signs of wear and use. A shiny patina all over and signs of contact with an open fire at the back. This beautifully carved male Ancestor would have been called upon as a guardian during hunts or war. 30 cm on custom stand.

				A fine Lower Sepik female Ancestor Figure. This beautiful figure has been collected in Jangimut village at the Murik Lake Lagoon at the Lower Sepik. It is exceptional in style. Wearing a carved feather headdress, beautiful miniature shell earrings, and scar tattoos at the front and back. The nose septum is also pierces lacking the decoration. Friendly expression. Ex Denver Art Museum with collection number and notes written on the backside of the figure. 25 cm on custom stand.

				A beautiful large Marupai, charm figure from the Papuan Gulf. This rare and nice piece is made from a dwarf coconut and resembles a pig or beast with mouth and noistrils wide open. It is decorated all over with clan symbols. Beautiful patina. Small repair at the rear where a carved hole once held a string for attachment. Marupais have experienced a wide range of uses from every day hunting magic to highly dangerous black magic executed by sorcerers. Marupais esp. of this quality are rare and much sought after! 13 cm, mounted on a custom stand.

				A rare and very old Astrolabe Bay Bullroarer. Bullroarers have been used in a variety of cults in new Guinea. Almost always connected with initiation and/ or fertility. This piece shows beautiful decorations and was meant as an animal (most probably a fish) with eyes on the upper end. It has once been attached on a string on the upper end and swirled to produce a sound associated with the initiation spirit. An elegant example meassuring 50 cm on custom stand.

				A very impressive stone carved Papuan Gulf drum. Carved to resemble a devouring spririt with dangerously toothed jaws wide open. Showing carvings of ancestor faces and clan symbols. The motive of the devouring spritits were omnipresent in the Papuan Gulf Cultures. The men's houses opened their front façade like an open mouth and the drums played at night those houses echoed this motive. It all centers around the initiation ceremony where the youngsters are believed to be devoured and afterwards reborn by imaginative spirits whose voice were produce by bullrarers (see object #5) Beatiful patina from hanging in the smoke of the fire. An extremely rare feature is the perfect line of teeth along both jaws. Shark skin tympanum intact and strong except for a small hole. Carved with non-metal tool. 72 cm. Custom stand.

				An elegant and old New Guinea Huon Gulf drum. Fine decorations of stylized ancestor figures and fishes. Dark black shiny patina. Lizard tympanum intact. An exceptionally good example! 76 cm.

				An old and well shaped Matty Island Bowl. Old beautiful patina from use. 56 cm.

				An ancient Korewori Hook Sculpture This beautiful example of a Korewori hunting charm fragment is one of the oldest examples of Oceanic Art. Christian Kaufmann estimates these carvings to be over 200 years old and this piece clearly shows its aweinspiring age in its beautifully eroded surface and the ancient look in its eyes that almost soaks the admirer into the past of this carving. These pieces had been stored in a cave which preserved them and at the same time caused this special and rare patina. The boldly pierced nose and the spiral ornaments on both sides of the body of the piece ad to its charm. Remnants of white and red colour. Korewori Area, Sepik, New Guinea. 44,5 cm on custom stand.

				A very fine Manam Island Ancestor Mask This beautiful Mask is from Manam Island off the north coast of New Guinea. The strong and voluminously round shaped form of the mask and the masterly carved nose in a vibrant swing, echoed by the discreetely designed frontal ornaments rising up from the eyes, make this mask a very good example of classical Coastal Sepik Masks. Pierced nose and ears. The ornaments on the upper front symbolize fruit bats. This mask must have had protective or commemorative functions as there are carved (!) attachment holes only on the upper top for it to be hung in the house. Very good patina. North Coast, New Guinea. Old collection label. Ex A. Philips, ex J. Edler. 45 cm, custom stand.

				An elegant and superb Mythological Sepik Bird Figure This rare mythological bird figure from the Midlle Sepik Area is an absolutely rare find. It is masterly carved with its slender form and the competently placed features such as breast, initiation tattoo designs around the belly and the lined up wings that are rather arms calling in mind that it must be the character of a myth and is certainly endowed with human abilities to act and feel. There is a bold expression in the face of this Sepik Figure when it opens the beak to tell the myth it was carved to stand for. Beautiful patina and a form that will make you touch and feel it in your hand the whole weekend down! Sepik Area, New Guinea. 45 cm on custom stand.

				A rare and beautiful D'Urville Island Mask Attractively coloured in thick layers of natural red and white colours, this mask has the features of a rare type of masks produced on the formerly D'Urville Islands (Tarawai and Walis Islands) offshore the Boiken Coast of North New Guinea. The projecting front linked with the lower part of the face through the nose are typical features of New Guinea Masks. Interesting and nice patina with almost vibrant areas of red. North Coast, New Guinea. 37 cm, custom stand.

				A superb and very rare Asmat Ancestor Couple In an overwhelmingly fine and slender form this is a rare representation of an ancestor couple from the Asmat in West Papua, formerly Dutch New Guinea. Each figure is carved with extremely beautiful details carved with an utmost sensibility. Such as the elbows and knees, the genitals, the feet and hands, the initiation tattos on the chest and back and the facial features with the protruding tongue, ears and pierced nose. The figures are carved as miniature ancestor poles which is just one of the various ways of designing the lower part of a figure in Asmat. Collected in the early 60ies and with a vbery good patina these are early and best quality examples of Asmat Art. Dutch New Guinea. 83 cm on custom stand. EUR 3800 for the couple.

				A very good Asmat Male Ancestor Figure This is an old and genuine example of an Asmat Figure with the classical psition of the arms modelled on the limbs of a praying mantis, the premier Asmat headhunter symbol as the female of these animals often chops of the head of the male after intercourse. Coulored with white lime and wearing adornments in the ears and on the waist. Standing 88 cm on custom stand. Dutch New Guinea.

				An Amsat Ancestor Head An excellent Asmat AncestorHead with beautiful decoration of seeds, feathers and shells. Bipane nose decoration. Patina of use and wear. Dutch New Guinea. Please inquire the price.

				A beautiful Simbu Highlands Feather Crown This attractive feather head decoration is from the Siane Population in the Simbu Area of the Papua New Guinea Highlands. Lorikeet and cassowary feathers, mounted on custom stand.

				A fine Gandharan Stucco Buddha An extremely fine and beautiful Gandharan Stucco Buddha, 4th /5th Cent. AD. Depicted is the historic Buddha in dharmachakramudra, symbolizing his first sermon in the gardens of Sarnath. A perfect and rare example with very finely elaborated facial features with urna and the coiffure topped in an ushnisha. The full and well balanced head is in front of a large discreetly decorated halo. Elongated earlobes hint to the Buddhas royal descent as a Nepalese prince. Note the beautiful drapery around playing around the Buddhas lap. 50 cm high.

				A fine and large Stucco Gandharan Stucco Head A fine and large Gandharan Stucco head of a Bodhisattva. 4th /5th Cent. Very clear and beautiful features with a mild expression. The head has a beautiful, warm patina of beige and meassures 29 cm without the stand.

				A rare and beautiful Gandharan Relief A beautiful relief with a rare depiction of the Shravasti Jataka. Gandhara 2nd / 3rd Cent. AD, green schist. The Shravasti Jataka counts the miracle the historic Buddha performed for King Prasenajit, competing with several gurus of his time the king had called to his court. The Buddha sunk in meditation and produced flames rising from his shoulders and water pouring out of his feet. Right to the Buddha in the center of this relief stands his steady companion Vajrapani holding the vajra, a group of adorants fill the space within the beautifully decorated frame of this relief. This rare and greatly preserved relief meassures 35 x 20 cm.

				A beautiful Ava Buddha A very rare and beautiful Ava Temple Buddha. Birma, 18th Cent. The historic Buddha in bhumisparsamudra is depicted as Maravijaya, the superator of all temptations, with his right hand touching the ground to call the earth to witness his liberation from all forms. His left hand rests in vajrasana in his lap. Remarkable is the peaceful and serene expression of this Buddha. Remnants of gold are visible all over the wooden body. With his delicate features and his seize of 70 cm, it is an impressive and worthy addition to a serious collection.

				A fine Khmer Standing Bronce Buddha A fine Khmer standing bronce Buddha Shakyamuni. The Buddha is depicted with a crown as Chakravartin (ruler of the world). His breast carries beautiful necklaces, his ears wear heavy earrings and the symetrical hanging uttarasanga (robe) is held by a fish tail pleat, a rare motive. The Buddha's hands are put forward resembling abhayamudra (fear-not-mudra) but as his thumbs touch the forfinger and the fingers point slightly toward the ground, it is rather the vitarkamudra, the gesture of teaching, conveying power of judgment. The very finely executed and superbly preserved overall details and the beautiful patina give this small figure a great presence and power. It meassures 15 cm including the small bronce stand.

				A beautiful Gandharan Standing Maitreya A superb haloed Bodhisattva Maitreya, Gandhara 2nd / 3rd Cent. AD, grey schist.The Bodhisattva stands in classical posture (originally abhayamudra) with his beautifully falling overrobe leaving the right shoulder free to show his fine necklaces and armband. He holds the flusk of Ambrosia in his left hand characterizing him as the Bodhisattva Maitreya, probably the most famous of all Bodhisattvas. Extremely fine facial features are embedded in a delicately elaborated coiffure with fine curls ending in an usnisa held together by a band. The fine almost female head is against a beautiful halo bordered by brillantly large lotus petals. The Bodhisattva is standing bare foot on pedestal executed as a relief showing a columnar stand with flames rising from it and flanked by two kneeling worshippers in tuicas. The extremely fine overall details are all well perserved and make this small sculpture of almost 23 cm a rare and desirable piece of Gandharan art.

				4 Gandharan Stucco Heads of 3 Bodhisattvas and a noble woman. The heads are very detailed with fine expressions and interesting coiffures. A nice collection of high quality examples of the well known Gandharan art of portraying.

				An old and nice Lower Sepik Betel-nut Mortar This very old betel nut mortar is a beautiful example with two expressive bird heads as finials and highly ornamentic fruit-bat symbols carved on both sides. The patina is a good as one can wish for with deep, shining encrustations from much use. 14 cm long.

A superb Luan Secret Society Figure

A superb Rambaramp Memorial Figure

A fine temes nevinbur Figure

An impressive Temes Malau Mask

A rare and fine Nalawan Mask

A very rare Ole Society Mask

A fine Temes Nevinbur Mask

A fine Luan Secret Society Figure

A fine Temes Malau Mask

A fine and classic Rom Mask I

A fine and classic Rom Mask II

An interesting Malekula Figure

A small and fine Papuan Gulf Gope Board

A fine Papuan Gulf Marupai

A rare and interesting Papuan Gulf Marupai

A very fine Papuan Gulf Belt Fragment

A very fine Solomon Island Mbarawa

A collection of fine Mursi Lip Plates

Yanomami Baskets

Yanomami Indians Dart Quiver

A Kayapo Crown

A Xingu Pair of Bracelets

A Tikuna Yaguar Masks

A pair of Rikbaktsa Bracelets

A Yanomami Girl's Apron

A Cofan Indians tools quiver

A Flores Figure

A Timor Spoon

A Timor Spoon

A Batak Medicine container

A Dayak Monkey Figure

A Flores Comb with two sitting figures

A Dayak Quiver

An Ataoro Ancestor Pair

Papuangulfmask

Dogteeth

Pigtusk

Shellarmband

Dogteeth Money

Shell Money

An nice Mendi Shoulder Shield

A nice male Asmat Ancestor Figure

An strong Ramu Ancestor Mask

A rare and very fine Sepik Hook

A nice Murik Lakes Amulet Mask

A beautiful Asmat Brazza River Shield

A large and beautiful Middle Sepik Hook

A nice Abelam Ancestor Figure

A beautiful Abelam Decorative Panel

A fine, old Papuan Gulf Bullroarer

An old Kikori River Gope Board, documented in situ

A rare and fine Malekula Figure

An old Sepik River Men’s House Post

An old and striking Ramu Mask

A nice Murik Lakes Amulet Figure

An interesting Lower Sepik style Amulet figure

A fine Fjii Club

An old Massim Axe

A fine Sepik Figure

A superb New Guinea Stone Figure

A very fine and elegant female Sepik Figure

A fine Gope Sirit Board

A fine Sepik Figurine

A fine Middle Sepik Flute Stopper

A rare and fine Mendi War Shield

A fine Abelam male Ancestor Figure

A rare and very fine Admirality Spear Point Figure

A rare and fine Sepik Figure

A excellent and rare Admirality Island Figure

A very fine and large Stone Churinga

A fine Aboriginal Wunda Shield

A beautiful Lower Sepik Betelnut Mortar

A beautiful Sepik Figure

An extraordinary beautiful Sepik Initiation Mask

A fine and rare Boiken Food Bowl